A Sense of Ireland
The largest festival of the Irish arts ever to be held outside Ireland began its six-week sojourn in London last week. The Abbey Theatre, in its 75th anniversary year, is presenting a new play by Hugh Leonard at the Old Vic ; there is a season of Irish films at the National Film Theatre; and the first appearance in London of the Irish Bal let Company. Mark Storey reports on these events and reflects on the reasons behind the Festival. Producer BRIAN BARFIELD